"Let's head back to the building." He said pulling me up carefully to stand.
Suddenly, thoughts came evading my calmed mind one by one. My jaw dropped as realization dawned on me.
◘---------------◘
The gorillas' checklist!
First, you know you are in love with the person when you cannot stand his gaze. Minimum is ten seconds.
Check. I did blink at the last second. Didn't I? It was the beast fault because he told me it was like I wanted to plant love bites on him again.
Second, there will be an electrifying feeling whenever you touch that person.
Check again. I thought at first that this test failed, but I was wrong. I felt it, can't deny that!
Third. If that person calls your name, your heart will jump.
Check. My heart didn't only jump, it was leaping endlessly.
Fourth. Whether you close or open your eyes, you will continually see his face.
Check, remember when I looked for soda and end up mumbling in one corner instead? He even caught me!
The fifth and the last. If you will not be able to see that person again, you will surely cry out of loneliness.
Check again for the nth time. I did cry wildly when I thought he died. Heck!
Am I possibly in love with the beast?
◘------------◘
"OH NOOOO!" I screamed in hysteria.
The boys checklist —all results were affirmative! I expelled a shaky breath and shook my head continuously. I wanted to drop right through the floor as I suffered from thorough disbelief. I was acting like a blithering idiot in front of the beast. I didn't know what to do right at that moment.
I dazed over my thoughts in panic!
Suddenly...
I felt an embrace oozing all the confusion and negative emotions away. I landed on a hard chest, it was warm and had me absolutely mesmerized. I breathed in only to realize the hard chest belonged to the beast. He put one of his hands behind my neck, the other hand landed gently on my lower back. He then buried me deep in his arms squeezing me tightly. I took a deep breath inhaling his luscious scent forgetting where we were.
My body that had been so tense from all what happened earlier has a sense of tranquility now. I became composed under his warm and loving embrace. It was so enchanting I wanted to stay there all day.
Hearing footsteps close by, I was brought to reality.
Uhhh, what was he doing out here in this open place?
I was about to push him away but then decided not to since his embrace was so comforting. He then uttered something in almost a whisper.
"Hey what's happening with you by the way?" He said while still holding me in his arms.
"You were acting so weird since this morning and.... I feel so stupid... for not knowing what to do." He sounded worried.
His words brought me into wonderland once more. So he had been worried about me all day long? Really worried, I could tell by the tone of his voice. At the moment his embrace was so affectionate. I felt like I was some treasure which was about to be taken and he was savoring the moment while I was still in his hands.
But then again, the boy's checklist pop into my head again, reminding me of the most complicated predicament I had ever encountered in my entire life.
"Darryl" I called, my voice was shaking.
"Yes?"
"I think I'm in love with you—crap!" I cupped my mouth to stop the words that were spilling out and looked up to see his face.
"Why did I say those? Holy cow!" I mumbled and cursed in front of him with so much regret. Colors were flooding back to my cheeks; red was the most dominant.
Another stupid move! I can't eat strawberry now, can I? I did bet strawberry earlier, right?
What was I doing? Even when those words were unconsciously and impulsively spoken, I was fervently wishing I left them unsaid.
He was shocked by my sudden revelation and didn't say a word. He just smiled. His expressions were unreadable.
"What did you say? Say that again." There was unmistakable mischief in his gorgeous hazel eyes. His smile turned wide making his face look devilishly handsome.
I looked away flustered. I just blurted this out, how can I say it again! In the corner of my eyes, I saw his hazel eyes looking down at me trying to capture my reaction.
Heck the jerk was picking on me again!
Don't look him in the eye Xhem!
According to Greek Mythology, there is a monster they call Medussa. If he catches your gaze you will turn into a stone!
Afraid of his mischievous gaze turning you to stone? Don't let the beast capture your eyes! I thought to myself.
"Ehhh…what I said a while ago was... Let's head back to the building, I think they will announce the winners now!" I said as I tried to find an excuse to avoid him. I turned around a second after and quickly walked straight ahead.
I left the beast where we were standing and walked away hurriedly. I sighed deeply. Somehow I was relieved I had escaped the beast's instigation. I walked farther and farther away from the beast, then I realized something.
"Oh crap!" I clasped my head and turn back to where the beast was.
He was standing on the same spot, laughing hard when he saw me coming back.
"You are lost, right?" He asked. Yeah I was indeed lost.
I did tell you earlier that I just ran randomly away, right? I needed the beast's help to get me back to the competition area. I am pretty sure he knew where we were right now since he was the one who found me here.
He stopped laughing when he was satisfied with how embarrassed I was.
"Give me your hand!" He commanded.
"Huh?" Before I could react, he grabbed my hand in his and started walking.
We were holding hands. Imagine the feeling that came with it, I couldn't even begin to describe! My eyes grew bigger and I bit my lower lip but walked obediently with him.
My heart was so happy I could die right now!
We walked under the scorching sun, as buildings along the busy streets towered over our shadows. I walked with my hands in his. He tightly held onto my fingers which were intertwined in his long and rough fingers. It felt like he was clinging to the only hands he cared about in the entire world.
I let him hold my hand, not bothering to make a sound. I quietly attempted to breath in and out, afraid he could hear my heart screaming from warmth and excitement. My heart was beating frantically against my left boob. It felt as if it was calling his name over and over again. I'm really in love with him. The boy's checklist was not useless after all, I thought smiling to myself.
We headed back to the building after we arrived and spent the rest of the afternoon receiving our evaluations. We got back to the university circle around four in the afternoon. I immediately hopped out the bus first and ran fast toward the quarters. I was so happy. I was also excited to see the boys after this long eventful day. Honestly, I did miss them throughout the whole afternoon.
A few minutes after arriving, I found myself in the quarters.
"Hey, you are here already." Huzey smiled as soon as he saw me.
"Huzey!" I clung into his arms like a happy kid. I was really in a good mood.
"Hey, little thug why are you so happy? You are so happy that we abandoned you today? Or wait…" Ziggy said scrutinizing me from head to foot. " …. Did you successfully seduced that Lagdameo coach this time?"
I just ignored Ziggy and went in a daze thinking about the beast still clinging onto Huzey's arm. Huzey didn't withdraw his arm, instead he smiled at me and asked, "What's with you?"
"Nothing!" I responded happily ignoring his prying eyes.
"If it's anything about that Lagdameo coach, I suggest you drop it right away. Why don't you go and pack your things instead of clinging onto Huzey's arm like a tarsier." Ziggy exclaimed, seemingly unpleased.
"Huh?" I frowned, not getting what he was talking about.
"We are leaving tomorrow after the awarding." Huzey said tonelessly while glancing at me.
Wait.
What?
Today is the sixth day of the conference, so we are indeed leaving tomorrow. How could I forget that? I was so preoccupied with my sparkling new romance I didn't even notice it was going to end tomorrow.
That fast?
Is this the end of Xhemin's and Darryl's love story? Tomorrow, Eh?
"You okay?" Huzey asked when he noticed that my mood suddenly changed. All the brightness in my face disappeared in an instant.
''Ummm… I'm fine." l answered flatly almost close to tears.
"Liar!" Huzey retorted an accusatory tone.
"I ain't lying."
"C'mon what's wrong?" he repeated.
"I said its nothing...I'll go and pack up." I answered trying to brush off their suspicions.
"Really?" Ziggy asked as if he wasn't convinced. He glared at me with raised eyebrows.
Ziggy ran to my bed and snatched my animal stuff toy Cryzer. Remember my lamb stuff toy given by grandpa?
He went to the hallways' mezzanine and stood there. He held Cryzer in one of his hand and moved it toward the stairs as if he was going to let it fall over.
"What are you doing to my stuff?" I went out to ask him. How was I supposed to pack up when he was messing with my things?
"If you are not going to answer our questions I'm going to throw Cryzer down the stairs." He started threatening me.
"Then the headlines tomorrow will be— Cryzer committed suicide." Huzey said unfeelingly. He was now slumped against the wall beside the entrance of the quarters, watching over the scene that Ziggy started.
I frowned. I think the two were on gorilla behavior mode again.
"Give me Cryzer back!" I demanded as I ran toward him ready for an attack. Before I reached Ziggy, Huzey held me and put my two hands on my back. He locked me under his grip. I tried to escape but knowing how strong Huzey was, I probably will die out of fatigue.
Oh great, just great. The two were teaming up again against me again. Well, I hope they were enjoying themselves at my expense.
"Tell us the truth or he will be dead!"
"Let him go!" I yelled at him.
"Tell us the truth first, why were you acting weird earlier? Happy turned sad in an instant." Ziggy started instigating me.
There had only been the three of us in the hallway. I never expected that few minutes later, people from other quarters had flocked over to where we were to watch our peerless drama.
"Fine! I'm acting weird because I don't' feel like going home yet!"
"Oh.." Ziggy exclaimed looking surprised. He was faking it obviously. "And that's because?"
"Because....." I was having hard time answering the question.
"Speak or Cryzer will die!" he spoke in a tone mimicking an old and grumpy wizard.
"Because of that man." I answered trying to be careful of my every word. Gosh! These two gorillas, I'm gonna kill them both in their sleep when I get the chance!
"What's the name?" He demanded and intentionally shook Cryzer's body while hanging on his arms.
"Do I really have to tell the name?" I said unamused. I honestly was a bit annoyed.
"Cryzer or the name!" He stated, frightening me in his unusual made up cold and deep voice.
"Darryl...Lemmeul...Lagdameo." I hesitated answering it a bit. I was pretty aware that the beast wasn't around, so it wouldn't really matter. The important thing right now is Cryzer's life, isn't it?
"Hey coach Darryl!" Someone called from my behind.
Coach Darryl? The beast is here?
Hearing his name nearly gave me heart attack!